United States · United States Congress · 15 March 1978
Directs that orders of a State court or a court of the District of Columbia relative to the custody of children of divorced or separated parents be given full faith and credit by every other State and the District of Columbia until such issuing court no longer has under the law of the State in which it is located, or declines to exercise, jurisdiction over modifications of such orders. Permits a court to refuse to recognize a custody order obtained by a parent or other person who removed the child from a State in order to conceal the child from the other parent or from a person acting as a parent.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Amends Title II (Old-AGE, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to include all Members of Congress under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance system.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 1978
Expresses the condemnation by the Congress of the March 11, 1978, attack on Israel by the Palestine Liberation Organization, and the expressed intention of the PLO to continue such attacks and to disrupt the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Requests the President to make the disapproval of the Congress known to governments approving the PLO attack. Expresses Congressional approval of the peace efforts between Israel and Egypt. Urges other Middle East countries to join such efforts. Declares negotiation to be the best way to bring peace to the Middle East.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Provides that refugees who were paroled by the Attorney General for temporary entry into the United States under the Immigration and Naturalization Act and later admitted for permanent residence into the United States shall be treated for naturalization purposes as having established permanent resident status as of the date of such temporary entry.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to invalidate agreements preventing the broadcast of a professional sports game, by means of television, at the same time and in the same area in which the game is to be played if all tickets to such game have been sold 72 hours before gametime. Repeals this amendment effective February 1, 1981.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Amends the Agricultural Trade Development and Assistance Act of 1954 to permit the President to waive prohibitions against commodity assistance relating to (1) status as a "friendly country," (2) North Vietnam, (3) diplomatic relations with the United States, (4) seizure of property owned by any United States person, and (5) emigration restrictions; in order to directly benefit needy people. Amends the Food for Peace Act to permit the Commodity Credit Corporation to extend agricultural export credit if the President waives prohibitions against such credit relating to (1) emigration restrictions, and (2) North Vietnam, in order to directly benefit needy people.
United States · United States Congress · 13 March 1978
Federal Acquisition Act - Title I: Acquisition Methods and Regulatory Guidance - Requires Federal agencies to procure goods and services utilizing methods prescribed in this Act as directed by rules promulgated by the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (Office). Title II: Acquisition by Competitive Sealed Bids - Sets criteria for use of the competitive sealed bid method of acquisition. Requires bid invitations to indicate what factors, in addition to price, will be considered in evaluating bids. Title III: Acquisition by Competitive Negotiation - Permits the use of the competitive negotiation method of procurement when the competitive sealed bid method is inappropriate under this Act. Permits procurement through negotiation with a single source if a contract stems from the acceptance of an unsolicited proposal or if such procurement practice is in the best interest of the Government. Requires contractors to submit price data for analysis prior to any negotiated award, change, or modification of any contract valued at over $500,000 in order to facilitate determination of the reasonableness of its offers. Requires contractors party to a single-source award or negotiated contract to submit cost information bearing on the reasonableness of the offered price. Gives agencies the power to inspect plants and records of a contractor up to three years after final payment has been made under a contract to ascertain the accuracy of price and cost data submitted under this Act. Title IV: Acquisition by Competitive Small Purchase Procedures Method - Permits the use of the competitive small purchase procedures method of procurement when contracts valued at not more than $10,000 are involved and if such procedure would be advantageous to the Government. Title V: General Provisions - Prohibits the use of cost-plus-a-percentage-of-cost contracting under this Act. Prohibits the employment of any agent on a contingent fee basis to solicit or secure a contract made with the Government. Disallows the making of any contract for a period of more than five years unless an exception has been made by the Office under this Act. Sets forth limitations for the making of advance payments. Gives title to the product of a contractor to the Government as security for partial and progress payments made pursuant to a Government contract. Directs the reconsideration and revision, if necessary, of specifications at least every three years. Title VI: Delegation of Authority - Permits agency heads to delegate specified authority conferred under this Act. Permits one agency to delegate acquisition functions to another agency to facilitate joint acquisitions. Title VII: Protests - Authorizes the Comptroller General to decide protests of awards under this Act. Permits the Comptroller General to declare a protested award or proposed award illegal. Requires protest proceedings to be as informal as possible. Title VIII: Applicability of Subsequent Laws - Prohibits the interpretation of any law passed subsequent to the enactment of this Act as amending this Act unless such law explicitly refers to this Act. Title IX: Amendments and Repeals - Makes technical and conforming amendments.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 1978
Elephant Protection Act - Prohibits the import, export, possession, transport, or sale of any elephant product. Directs the Secretary of the Interior to administer this Act. Authorizes the Secretary to issue permits for acts herein prohibited for scientific purposes. Establishes civil and criminal penalties for violation of this Act. Establishes rewards for persons providing information regarding violations of this Act. Requires the Secretaries of the Interior, Treasury, and the department in which the Coast Guard is operating to enforce this Act, and to promulgate regulations for such enforcement. Permits citizens suits to enforce this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 1978
National Credit Union Central Liquidity Facility Act - Establishes the National Credit Union Central Liquidity Facility to provide funds to meet the liquidity needs of credit unions. Vests management of the Facility in the National Credit Union Administration. Declares the initial capitalization of the Facility shall be by stock subscription consisting of shares having par value of $50 each. Entitles any member of the Facility to apply on a form prescribed by regulations for advances. Authorizes the Administration to deny or grant any application upon such terms as it may prescribe by regulations. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to lend the Facility up to $500,000,000 to enable it to meet the obligations arising under this Act. Directs the Administration to prepare and submit to the President and to the Congress annually a full report on the activities of the Facility for the previous year. Directs the Comptroller General to audit the Central Liquidity Facility.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Amends the Community Mental Health Centers Act to direct the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare to establish a grant program with State and local government agencies and nonprofit with State and local government agencies and nonprofit organizations to provide assistance and related service to victims of rape.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to apply the same tax rates to married persons filing separate returns as are presently applicable to unmarried individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program Act - Directs the Secretary of Energy and the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to initiate a Solar Power Satellite Research, Development, and Demonstration Program to study technical problems regarding the viability of the solar power satellite concept. Requires the Secretary to cooperate with the Administrator in the submission to Congress, by September 30, 1978, of a comprehensive plan to implement the Program.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 1978
Declares it the sense of Congress that the President and the Secretary of the Treasury be inspired to apply countervailing duties and special dumping duties to imported steel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide a $5,000 tax exclusion from gross income for any amount received as an annuity, pension, or other retirement benefit.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Requires the separate enactment of legislation, in the Senate or the House of Representatives, which appropriates funds for any agency for employee salaries.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Amends the Labor Management Relations Act to allow the President, in the event of a national emergency labor dispute, to direct the National Labor Relations Board to obtain management's latest offer and place it directly before employees for approval by secret ballot. Deems such offer binding upon all parties upon approval by a majority of the employees.
United States · United States Congress · 22 February 1978
Merit Selection for United States Attorneys Act - Revises the method for selection of United States Attorneys to establish a United States Attorney Selection Commission for each judicial district. Provides for appointment of commission members by the appropriate State chief executive. Directs a Commission to select and forward to the President and Attorney General a list of four to eight candidates within 90 days of the expiration of the incumbent's term. Requires the President to nominate a commission candidate or to request another list. Limits U. S. attorneys to two four year terms. Restricts the power of the President to unilaterally remove a U.S. attorney.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 1978
SS Life Act - Directs the Secretary of the Navy to transfer to LIFE International for 15 years the hospital ship U.S.S. Sanctuary (AH-17) to furnish health care to developing nations. Renames such ship the "SS LIFE". Authorizes the appropriation of $6,000,000 for fiscal year 1979 for modification of such ship and for maintenance and operation $494,000 for fiscal year 1979, $5,000,000 for fiscal year 1980, $4,000,000 for fiscal year 1981, $3,000,000 for fiscal year 1982, $2,000,000 for fiscal year 1983, and $1,000,000 for fiscal year 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 1978
Amends the Federal Power Act to require the Federal Power Commission to hold an evidentiary hearing before approving public utility rate increases due to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires a showing that the clause effectively provides incentives for the economical purchase and use of fuel. Requires further that the clause is necessary to enable the utility to pay for the added fuel costs which are by nature short-term fluctuations and therefore not capable of determination in proceedings before such costs are incurred. Sets a one-year limit on approved fuel adjustment clauses and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the Commission to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of public utilities using fuel adjustment clauses. Requires relevant utilities to supply information as the Commission may require and makes such information available to the public. Grants to any purchaser of electric energy produced for resale and subject to a fuel adjustment clause, the right to examine the records of the relevant utility to insure compliance with applicable schedules and Commission rules. Requires the Commission, after affording the opportunity for an evidentiary hearing, to order the cessation or modification of any practice which does not constitute the most economical purchase and use of fuel. Amends the National Gas Act to impose similar restrictions on rate increases of natural gas companies pursuant to automatic adjustment clauses. Prohibits State regulated utilities from making rate increases pursuant to an automatic adjustment clause unless such clause has been determined to effectively provide incentives for the economical purchase and use of the fuel involved. Requires further that such clauses be necessary to enable the utility to pay for short-term fluctuations in fuel costs that are not susceptible to determination in proceedings held prior to such costs being incurred. Limits automatic adjustment clauses to one-year in duration, and requires an evidentiary hearing before their renewal. Requires the reviewing authority to examine and, if appropriate, to audit the practices of utilities with respect to fuel adjustment clauses. Requires that utilities supply such relevant information as is required by the State regulatory body and makes such information available to the public. Sets procedures for the certification of State regulatory bodies with respect to this Act. Requires the Commission to enforce the Act in the absence of State certification and upon the request of any State regulated utility. Amends the Federal Power Act to expand the scope of businesses forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act. Amends the Natural Gas Act to expand the scope of natural gas companies forbidden from having interlocking directorates without Commission approval. Makes such approval no defense to actions under specified provisions of the Clayton Act.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 1978
Amends the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, l978 to repeal the provision of such Act which prohibits the payment of lodging expenses for individuals away from their post of duty on official business when adequate government quarters are available but are not occupied by such individual.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 1978
Authorizes air carriers holding a certificate to engage in foreign air transportation to carry domestic traffic between points in the United States on flights operated in foreign air transportation. Stipulates that such authority shall be limited to one round trip flight per day in each city-pair market unless otherwise authorized by the Civil Aeronautics Board.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 1978
Federal Disclosure and Accountability Act - Prohibits any Federal employee from coercing any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of such individual to disclose any illegal or otherwise improper Government action to the Review Board on Improper Government Actions, established by this Act and from taking any adverse personnel action against such individual who is a Federal employee in retaliation for such disclosure. Requires the Board to investigate any such disclosure and, in the event further investigation or action is warranted, to notify the person, the head of the agency in which such person is employed, and, if appropriate, the Attorney General and/or the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Authorizes the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to acquire the Museum of African Art. Establishes a Commission for the Museum of African Art to assist the Board in the operation and development of the Museum. Authorizes appropriations to carry out the purposes of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 1978
Prohibits commerce in contraband cigarettes. Defines "contraband cigarettes" as a quantity of more than 20,000 cigarettes, bearing no evidence of payment of applicable State cigarette taxes, which are in the possession of any person other than (1) a person licensed by the State where the cigarettes are found or by the Internal Revenue Service, (2) a common or contract carrier, or (3) a government agent in the performance of duties. Subjects dealers in cigarettes to such reporting requirements as the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 1978
Veterans' and Survivors' Pension Improvement Act - Title I: Amendments to Pension Program for Non-service-connected Disability or Death - Revises the list of specified catagories of payments excluded from the determination of annual income for benefit payment purposes. Requires persons applying for a non-service-connected disability pension to report the income and estate of each spouse and child on account of whom added pension is applied for or received. Sets increased flat pension and aid-and-attendance allowance rates, reduced by the amount of a veteran's annual income, and in specified instances, by the amount of a spouse's or child's income which is reasonably available to or for such veteran. Sets increased flat benefit rates, with similar reductions, for the surviving spouses and children of such veterans. Requires annual adjustments in such pension and benefit rates in conjunction with cost-of-living increases in Social Security benefits. Title II: Miscellaneous Provisions and Effective Dates - Sets the effective dates for provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 1978
Expresses the insistence of the House of Representatives that the Government of the Republic of Korea cooperate with a certain investigation of the House of Representatives Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Declares that failure of the Government to cooperate with such investigation will have a negative impact on relations between the United States and the Republic of Korea, including assistance for the latter country.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Federal Disclosure and Accountability Act - Prohibits any Federal employee from coercing any individual for the purpose of interfering with the right of such individual to disclose any illegal or otherwise improper Government action to the Review Board on Improper Government Actions, established by this Act and from taking any adverse personnel action against such individual who is a Federal employee in retaliation for such disclosure. Requires the Board to investigate any such disclosure and, in the event further investigation or action is warranted, to notify the person, the head of the agency in which such person is employed, and, if appropriate, the Attorney General and/or the Comptroller General.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 1978
Constitutional Amendment - Provides that the District of Columbia be treated as a State for purposes of representation in the Congress, election of the President and Vice President, and Article V of the Constitution of the United States. Repeals the provisions of the twenty-third amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1978
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to lower from 65 to 55 the Age requirement for the exclusion of gain on the sale or exchange of the taxpayer's principal residence.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 1978
National Driver Registration Act - Title I: General Provisions - Authorizes appropriations in such amounts as may be necessary to carry out the provisions of this Act. Abolishes the register of individuals who have had their drivers' licenses revoked presently maintained in the Department of Commerce. Directs the Secretary of Transportation to determine whether any information contained in such register should be maintained in the National Driver Register created by this Act. Title II: National Driver Register - Establishes a National Driver Register in the Department of Transportation. Requires the chief motor vehicle official in each State to transmit a report to the Secretary for inclusion in the Register containing specified information regarding any individual who: (1) was denied a motor vehicle operator's license; (2) was issued a license which has been canceled, revoked or suspended; (3) has been found guilty of operating a motor vehicle while under the the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance; (4) or has been found guilty of another traffic offense which the Secretary, by regulation, has determined warrants listing in the Register. Authorizes the release of information contained in the Register to authorized persons. Requires the chief motor vehicle official in each State prior to issuing or reissuing a motor vehicle operator's license to submit a request to the Secretary regarding any information which may be contained in the Register regarding such individual. Prohibits the Secretary from approving projects on the Federal-aid highway system for a State which has not complied with the requirements of this Act. Authorizes individuals conducting approved research projects to use material contained in the Register subject to privacy restrictions under Federal law. Title III: National Driver Register Commission - Establishes the National Driver Register Commission to advise the Secretary with respect to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Register.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 1978
United States Academy of Peace and Conflict Resolution Commission Act - Establishes a Commission on Proposals for a United States Academy for Peace and Conflict Resolution to study the establishment of such academy and alternative proposals which would assist the Federal Government in promoting peace. Directs the Commission to review the theory and techniques of conflict resolution and the institutions for conflict resolution. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the President and the Congress within one year from the availability of appropriations. Authorizes the appropriation of $500,000 to carry out this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Visa and Naturalization Administration Act - Establishes in the executive branch an independent agency to be known as the Visa and Naturalization Administration to which are transferred: (1) the functions, powers, and duties of the Visa Office of the Bureau of Security and Consular Affairs in the Department of State, and the functions, powers and duties of the Secretary of State with respect to such Office; (2) specified functions, powers, and duties of the Secretary of Labor; (3) the functions, powers, and duties of the Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization; and (4) the functions, powers, and duties of the Attorney General under the Immigration and Nationality Act except those functions, powers, and duties pertaining to the enforcement of a final order of deportation. Creates an Office of Inspector General to investigate each program administered by the Administration and the report to Congress concerning complaints and investigations with respect to Administration programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Establishes an 11-member Commission on the Humane Treatment of Animals to study the treatment of animals. Requires that the membership include zoologists, veterinarians, and representatives from humane societies. Requires the Commission to determine if animals are caused needless pain or suffering as a result of their treatment on farms and in laboratory experimentation. Requires Commission investigation into domestic pet growth rates and the effectiveness of existing laws regarding the treatment of animals. Excludes the study of the treatment of animals occurring in connection with the exercise of any religion. Directs the Commission to report its findings to the Congress and the Commission 60 days after it submits its final report. Authorizes appropriations of $750,000 per year to carry out the provisions of this Act.
United States · United States Congress · 24 January 1978
Creates a select committee in the House of Representatives to study the effectiveness of measures being taken by the United States and foreign countries to alleviate the threat of terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Repeals the requirement, under the Social Security Amendments of 1977, that the amount of monthly benefits payable to a spouse or surviving spouse under Title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act be reduced by the amount such spouse or surviving spouse receives monthly payments from a Federal or State pension fund.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 1978
Amends Title II (Old-AGE, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act and the Internal Revenue Code to include all Members of Congress under the Federal Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance system.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 1977
Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to pay specified sums to three individuals in full settlement of such individuals' claims against the United States.
![Official portrait of Rep. Steers, Newton I., Jr. [R-MD-8]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s000844_200.jpg)